Flex FX is the leading performance arts and entertainment company of its kind in the UK, catering for shows with explosive acts as well as offering dance lessons and an event management service. Their résumé boasts an impressive number of live performances, earning them the unofficial title of ‘biggest Asian dance troop in the UK’.

They have been around since 2003, and have performed at many shows and exhibitions, ranging from the Thames Festival, various Mela’s, regular appearances at Zee Carnival - and more recently the Annual Britz Dhamaka. What’s even more astonishing about this collective is the effort they have put into working with the community of Tower Hamlets and providing positive role models for youths and students who aspire to follow in their foot steps.

With a variety of exciting performances, gigs and music videos under their belt, they are now taking their show on the road. The Essence tour recently kicked off to a great start and the next installment will be held at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Sunday the 31st August.

Artistic Director Naz Choudhury is the founder of Flex FX. He recently spoke to InsideDesi about his drive and ambition behind his company, giving us an insight into his personal experiences as a dancer.

Pras: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and how you became a dancer.
Naz: I started dancing 11 years ago at an event called ‘Christmas Spice 97′. I started dancing professionally however 6 years ago. Since then, I have worked on a wide range of projects across the UK and abroad, with a variety of professional artists and celebrities from different industries.

Pras:  Was this always your chosen career path or did you have other plans in mind when you were growing up?
Naz: I knew what I wanted to do all along since the age of 12.

Pras: How would you best describe the Flex FX style and how does it stand out or differ from other groups?
Naz: Flex FX is about heart, you only come out on top when you work hard. We work to perfection.

Pras: What is your proudest moment?
Naz: I would say the Essence premiere for me was an honour, and the Dhamaka Awards ceremony was also one of my proudest moments - also to produce an event at the Royal Albert Hall is an overwhelming feeling.

Pras: Talk to us about the tour, what can guests expect?
Naz: I expect a wide range of audiences, those who want to be entertained and want to be a part of the legacy. Essence is truly a masterpiece and I would recommend it to dance, musical and Bollywood lovers.

Pras: Where would you like to take Flex FX?
Naz: I would like to take Flex FX to India (Mumbai) for the Bollywood film industry to recognise British Talent - not only are we up to par, but we are much more versatile.

Pras: How do you prepare yourself before a show, any particular routines or rituals?
Naz: Well in Flex, I’m known as the general, so that should give you a clue. A tip would be to rehearse like you’re performing; it can only make you stronger.

Pras: Who would you rate as the best dancer in the world right now?
Naz: There are too many to say, for me the best dancer is the one who is the most versatile. But I would have to mention my right and left hand - Leena Patel and Deepa Arjan.

Pras: With all this hard work, do you get time to yourself?
Naz: Over the past few years, I have been working on many projects back to back and haven’t had much time for myself, but after The Essence Tour I do intend to take a break and catch up with my friends, family and definitely take a holiday.

Pras: How important is family life to you, and were your family supportive of your decision to pursue this career?
Naz: My family is my biggest motivation in life. My mum has supported me since I started my career and has always believed in me. Without their blessings I would have never made it this far. I have to also mention Chris Webb for believing in me and supporting me along the way.

Pras: What does the future hold for you and Flex FX?
Naz: We aim to expand, make more projects such as Dhamaka and Essence, and create national and international tours. Possibly work within different mediums such as film, music and fashion. Also, we hope to build a production studio facility in East London.

Pras: What advice would you give people who want to follow your footsteps?
Naz: It doesn’t matter how good the choreography is, it comes down to how you perform it; set a vision with a few goals as your target and plan well ahead. I set myself 10 goals a year, achieve about 6. If you want to do something do it full hearted or don’t do it at all. Whatever puts you down in life use it as a motivation to achieve new heights. Don’t try being someone else; just be yourself because if you believe in yourself others will follow.

The Essence tour hits Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Sunday 31st August 2008 and Hackney Empire London on Thursday 4th September 2008. For further information please visit: http://www.projectessence.com

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed and/or sign-up to our mailing list for updates.

(13 votes. Average: 4.38 out of 5)